Apparatus for capturing insects

Abstract

The present invention provides a clean, sanitary, and safe apparatus for capturing flies, and flying insects from the air. Specifically, the method and apparatus of the present invention entails a timed vacuum source for generating a system of moving air that is induced over an insect induction area. The velocity of the air is increased as it passes over the insect induction area. Flying insects or other insects that move into the vicinity of the induction area are captured and delivered by the moving air to an insect collection area.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An insect capturing device comprising: an insect induction head including upper and lower spaced apart plates defining an air passageway therebetween; said lower plate assuming a generally bell shaped configuration and including a dome-like central portion and a peripheral insect alighting ledge integrally formed therewith, said insect alighting ledge extending circumferentially around said dome-like central portion; said upper plate assuming a dome-like configuration extending radially downwardly and outwardly from a central point and including a terminal edge that terminates inwardly of said peripheral ledge so as to define an open area above said insect alighting area; an insect entry into said air passageway formed by the terminal edge of said upper plate and the underlying portion of said lower plate; a suction opening formed in the central portion of said lower plate and is communicatively connected with said air passageway; adjustment means associated with said upper and lower plates for adjusting the spacing therebetween in order that the velocity of the air flow passing therethrough can be accordingly varied; and vacuum means operatively connected with said suction opening for generating a system for moving air and directing the same across said insect alighting area and through said induction head thereby pulling insects alighting on said insect alighting ledge through said air passageway to a central portion thereof and into and through said suction opening. 
     
     
       2. The insect capturing device of claim 1 including timer means operatively connected to said vacuum means for periodically actuating said vacuum means and generating said system of moving air that passes through said insect induction head thereby periodically interrupting any turbulence, noise or the like about the insect induction head so as to not frigthen insects away from the induction head before they have an opportunity to alight and move into an area thereon where the generated system of air will sweep them inwardly through the induction head. 
     
     
       3. The stationary suction-type insect capturing device of claim 1 wherein said passageway defined by said plates decreases in cross-sectional area between said insect inlet and said suction opening. 
     
     
       4. An insect capturing device comprising: an insect induction head including upper and lower spaced apart plates defining an air passageway therebetween; said lower plate having a generally bell shaped configuration and including an insect alighting ledge extending around the perimeter thereof; said upper plate having a dome-like configuration and including a terminal edge that terminates inwardly of said insect alighting ledge so as to define an open area thereabove; a circumferential inlet into said air passageway formed by the terminal edge of said upper plate and the underlying portion of said lower plate; a suction opening formed in the central portion of said lower plate and communicatively connected with said air passageway; and vacuum means operatively connected with said suction opening for generating a system of moving air and directing the same across said insect alighting ledge and through said induction head thereby pulling insects alighting on said insect alighting ledge through said air passageway to a central portion thereof and into and through said suction opening.